Cars bought by teenagers, especially those who like to build them up and drive fast, rarely last long. They get worn out, smashed up or sold to pay for the next project, the evidence of their existence usually no more than some faded Polaroids in a vinyl album.

This week's car in "My Ride, My Story" was bought by a teen looking to race - and he did - but luckily this 1969 Camaro was put into hibernation for decades in a garage, to emerge as an exceedingly rare throwback to muscle car primetime.

The owner: Fran Blake, 60, Ashland

The car: 1969 Chevy Camaro COPO

When and where did you get this car?

I purchased the car for $875 in 1973 right after graduating from high school. I grew up in Cambridge and bought the car at a used car and parts lot near my neighborhood. I knew the owner and he gave me a heads up that the car would be coming in that day.

How was it that a kid just out of high school was able to get such a fantastic car?

My friends and I knew this would be a high performance car and we were all car guys. This was in the muscle car era and we were all into those cars. Camaros first came out in 1967 and I already had a 1970, but I preferred the body style of the 1969. The cars were very distinctive in the '70s - today a lot of new cars look alike. I don't think the cars today are as exciting as they were back then. In the '70s you could get a high-performance engine in most models (Impalas, Chevelles, Camaros, Novas, Corvettes, and that is just the Chevys). Today, to get a true high performance engine you generally have to buy a high-end sports car like a Corvette.

What were your intentions for the car?

Initially I planned to make a race car out of it (drag racing). I stripped it down, and then got another car that was already set up for racing (roll cage, suspension work, etc.) so the Camaro then sat for a couple of years. I eventually rebuilt it, did a custom paint job, and made it back into a street car.

So what happened to the car once you got it home?

In 1984 I took it off the road and put it in storage in a friend's garage until 1990. When my wife and I moved to Ashland I moved the car to our house.

Eventually, the car came out of the garage. What motivated you to bring it out?

Page 2 of 3 - In 2010 I decided to rebuild it - I wanted to enjoy the car again. I did a complete frame-off restoration to bring it to original condition which took about two years.

How much of the restoration did you do yourself? Were there any stages that were particularly difficult?

I did every part of the restoration except the installation of the headliner. I tried doing that as well, but didn't like the result, so I had someone do it for me. A couple of friends and I spent many Sunday mornings helping me restore the car - I couldn't have done the car nearly as fast without their help.

The COPO model of Camaro is something most have not heard of, let alone seen. What does that mean?

COPO stands for Central Office Production Order. Dealers needed to know the order number 9561 which was the 427 CI 425 hp engine. It had a special 12-bolt heavy duty rear axle, a M22 Muncie 4-speed transmission, and front power disc brakes. This car came with no other identifying marks on the exterior indicating it was a high performance car. Only 1,000 of these were made.

How did you get interested in cars?

While growing up in Cambridge, in 1967, my oldest brother came home from the Air Force and he and his friends were really into cars. I was his shadow. My brother had a 1966 Chevelle SS396 and he let me be his go-fer when he was working on his car.

How have cars remained a part of your life?

I attended a technical trade school and always wanted to work around cars. I eventually opened my own business in Belmont and specialized in high-performance race cars and show cars. I also did general repair on regular cars. Over the years I have done other restorations - I have a 1967 Corvette convertible that I bought in 2003 and restored as well. I also have a 1964 Ford Galaxie that I've had since 1985 - it has not been on the road since 1996 or '97 so I will restore that next. I have also helped a couple of friends with their restoration projects.

How often do you drive the Camaro?

After finishing the restoration in the spring of 2013 I went to the Elm Bank Car Show in Wellesley and the Kidde-Fenwal Car Show in Ashland putting on 112 miles which is the first mileage put on the car since 1984. This year I plan on taking it to a few more car shows which might add up to 500 miles this year. The car has 34,000 miles on it in total.

Page 3 of 3 - You have been around cars your whole life and are very familiar with the collector trade and hobby. What do you see as the future of this interest?

When my friends and I go to big car shows or cruise nights we don't see a lot of younger guys. In the past you could go out to the garage and tinker and make adjustments to the motor. Now everything is computerized - there is very little someone can do to their own car.